For most people, dealing with excessive sweating — or hyperhidrosis — is not only uncomfortable, but can also make one feel self-conscious and limit what types of clothes they can wear, especially in the summer.
In the last few years, treating excessive sweating with Botox has become more and more popular. While it’s not a permanent solution, it has proven extremely helpful for many people.
Through a few injections in the problem areas — which can include the hands, feet, face, or, most commonly, the armpits — sweating will most likely stop within two to three days.
In this article, we’ll cover some key points to know before deciding on the procedure — including how it works, how long it lasts, possible side effects, and more.
What is Botox?
Botox is, technically speaking, a neurotoxin produced by a bacteria that causes a type of muscle paralysis.
However, don’t let that description scare you. While it’s best known for smoothing facial wrinkles, doctors also use Botox to effectively treat conditions like migraines, muscle spasms, and hyperhidrosis — the one we’re focusing on here.
What might make someone a good candidate for Botox is, of course, struggling with excessive sweating — especially if they’ve already tried every over-the-counter solution without success and are ready for something that’s been proven to work.
How does Botox eliminate sweating?
Botox injections help control symptoms of excessive sweating by temporarily blocking the chemical signals that stimulate the sweat glands. When those signals are interrupted, the glands stop producing sweat in the treated area.
One session is usually enough to get the process going, and results can last anywhere from four to seven months. After that, sweating gradually returns to how it was before, if the patient chooses not to repeat the treatment.
What happens during the procedure?
The procedure itself is quick and typically done in under 30 minutes.
A small needle is used to inject Botox just below the skin in the affected area — most often the underarms, but it can also be used on hands, feet, or even the face.
While there may be mild discomfort or redness right after, most people go about their day as usual.
It’s important to note that Botox only works on the area where it’s injected. That means if you treat your underarms, you’ll still sweat normally elsewhere — your body’s ability to regulate temperature isn’t affected overall.
Are there any side effects?
Most people tolerate Botox for sweating pretty well – especially when it’s done under the arms, which is the most common treatment area. Studies show that side effects are usually mild and temporary.
Some people might notice pain, redness, or slight bruising at the injection site. Others report skin irritation, a headache, or flu-like symptoms in the first day or two after treatment,
When Botox is used in other areas, like the face, hands, or feet, different side effects can show up.
For facial injections, things like eye dryness, slight drooping of the eyelid, or temporary changes in facial expression are possible. These are still uncommon and usually fade on their own.
While serious side effects are very rare, they can happen if the Botox spreads beyond the injection area. In those cases, symptoms like muscle weakness, blurred vision, trouble breathing, or loss of bladder control have been reported.
That said, this kind of reaction is extremely uncommon, especially when the treatment is done by an experienced medical professional.
Conclusion
If you’ve been dealing with excessive sweating and nothing seems to help, Botox might finally give you some relief, without surgery or long recovery times.
The treatment is quick, the results last for months, and for many people, it transforms how they move through life in a major way.
At our Milwaukee, Wisconsin, clinic, Dr. Mark Bosbous brings a careful, individualized approach to every patient.
Whether you’re looking to treat underarm sweating or another area, he’ll walk you through the process and help you figure out if Botox is the right fit for you.
If you’re ready to talk options, book a consultation, and we’ll help you discover what’s possible.